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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned airlines that Russian airspace is becoming "completely dangerous" as his country escalates its drone strikes. He stated, "We want to warn every airline that uses Russian airspace, every insurer, everyone who still uses key Russian airports: the Russian sky is becoming completely dangerous." Ukraine has formally notified the UN about the risks to civilian aviation.
In his nightly video address, Zelensky explained that Ukraine does not threaten civilian aviation and does not want to cause the loss of innocent lives. However, he emphasized that drones will be present in Russian skies on a scale that must be taken into account. He directed his warning particularly to airlines operating flights to Russian airports, especially in major cities like St. Petersburg and Moscow.
Russian President Vladimir Putin responded to Zelensky's comments, calling them a "declaration of state terrorism." While most Western airlines avoid flying over Russia due to the ongoing invasion, some carriers from Turkey and China continue to operate in the region. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that they have officially notified the International Civil Aviation Organization about the safety concerns regarding Russian airspace.